MLB Player News

Martinez will move to the bullpen after Austin Bibens-Dirkx was named the Rangers' starter for Friday's series opener against the White Sox.

The injury-battered Rangers rotation is finally beginning to heal up with Cole Hamels (oblique) returning from the disabled list to start Monday and Andrew Cashner (oblique) set to do the same Thursday, but the latter's return will come at the expense of Martinez. The right-hander has been a decent innings eater over his 12 appearances (11 starts) this season, but a 4.55 ERA and 4.7 K/9 rate made him of little interest in the fantasy realm. Now that he'll be ticketed for relief duty until further notice, he may lose any minimal appeal he held in AL-only formats.

Putnam (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday.

The reliever underwent Tommy John surgery last week, ending his injury-hampered 2017 campaign after just 8.2 innings pitched. The routine move by the team clears room on the 40-man roster, as Putnam begins the long road to recovery, which puts him on track for a return sometime near the middle of next season.

Manager Jeff Banister said that either Martinez or Austin Bibens-Dirkx would start Friday against the White Sox, with the other pitcher heading to the bullpen, William Kosileski of MLB.com reports.

With Cole Hamels (oblique) returning from the disabled list earlier this week and Andrew Cashner (oblique) in line to do the same Thursday, the Rangers will have to drop a starter from the rotation. Given that Bibens-Dirkx has delivered a pair of seven-inning, one-run outings in his last three starts, he looks like the heavy favorite to get the Friday nod over Martinez, who has turned in a 4.79 ERA over his 11 starts this season. Assuming that's indeed the case, look for Martinez to be available as the Rangers' designated long man out of the bullpen for the team's remaining five games this week.

Diaz was charged with four unearned runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies on Tuesday.

While the runs go as unearned, it was Diaz's own throwing error that extended the inning. Manager Scott Servais did not hide his displeasure with Diaz's performance in what was a non-save situation, telling the Tacoma News Tribune, "[Diaz] had not been out there in five days. But he's got to realize, I've got to get him in the game. We've got to try to keep him sharp. You've got to have your edge with you." The 23-year-old Diaz has been good in save situations, converting five straight opportunities since his temporary demotion in mid-May.

Kolarek was called up by the Rays following Tuesday's game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old earns his first big-league promotion following an impressive start to the season with Triple-A Durham. Kolarek owns a 1.36 ERA and a .217 BAA over 31 relief appearances this season, becoming well-known for his ability to induce ground balls from hitters (7.25 GO/AO). He takes the place of the struggling Jose Alvarado and will most likely be used in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen.

Pomeranz (7-4) allowed one run (none earned) on four hits while striking out seven over five innings in Tuesday's 9-2 win over Minnesota.

This was a nice effort from Pomeranz, who came back out to pitch following a 75-minute rain delay during the second inning. For a pitcher that's been criticized by various members of the area's media for his supposed lack of toughness, Pomeranz showed moxie Tuesday by pitching three innings after the delay and saving Boston's bullpen. The left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last seven starts. He's next scheduled to start Sunday on the road in Toronto.

Kahnle was touched for three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Yankees.

Technically, it was a blown save for Kahnle -- his second straight -- but had he been able to hold the lead, closer David Robertson would have entered for the save. With Nate Jones (elbow) sidelined, Kahnle has done a nice job serving as Chicago's eighth-inning reliever, so he'll get a pass on his current two-game rut.

Chavez (5-8) gave up two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Dodgers.

Chavez blanked the Dodgers over the first five innings, and both runs charged to him came around to score after he was pulled from the game. The 33-year-old only threw 54 of his 100 pitches for strikes, but he induced nine swinging strikes and kept the ball in the yard, breaking a streak of 13 consecutive appearances with at least one home run allowed. It was a nice bounce-back effort against a good lineup, but Chavez's propensity for giving up the long ball and declining strikeout rate make him a dicey streaming option in mixed leagues.

Wilson struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Royals.

After going most of the month of June without sniffing a save chance, Wilson has now converted two in consecutive appearances. The left-hander's 43:12 K:BB in 29.1 innings is excellent, but he'll need the Tigers to start stringing together more wins if his strong performance this season is going to translate into more saves in the second half.

Strahm (2-5) allowed five runs on six hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Tigers.

The young lefty was staked to a three-run lead before he even took the mound in the first inning, but Strahm wasn't able to hold onto it, serving up homers to J.D.Martinez and Miguel Cabrera en route to the loss. He'll carry a 5.61 ERA into his next start Sunday at home against the Twins.